The World’s Rarest Record – No Known Copy Until Now?
An excursion in 2008 led to the discovery of a large and well-maintained collection of 78 RPM records along with several World War II transcription discs. The collection consisted of roughly 200 records, all preserved in their original paper sleeves and stored in period 78 RPM storage boxes, grouped in lots of approximately twenty. The overall condition suggested careful handling and long-term storage.
While going through the collection, I approached it as most collectors would, scanning for recognizable artists, familiar titles, or interesting labels. There were certainly a number of worthwhile records, but nothing immediately stood out as extraordinary. In the end, I selected only five 78s from the entire group.
It was not until later that evening, after doing some initial research, that one of those records began to stand apart. What first appeared to be a fairly ordinary early pressing quickly revealed itself to be something far more unusual. Based on available references, this record may represent the only known surviving copy.
On the Record – At First Listen
The disc is Okeh Record No. 1007 (OKEH 1007), featuring the early dark blue label with the Native American figure. The shade of blue varies slightly between the two sides, suggesting possible variation during production.
Side A contains “Over There” (George M. Cohan), performed by the Sterling Trio with orchestra accompaniment. The dead wax is stamped 1007A7, with a matrix etching of 120A.
Side B contains “Just Before the Battle, Mother” (G. F. Root), performed by Campbell & Burr with orchestra accompaniment. The dead wax is stamped 1007B6, with a matrix etching of 174B.
One unusual characteristic is the apparent absence of both a lead-in and lead-out groove, something not typically seen on most 78 RPM records. Whether this is an early production trait or a pressing anomaly is unclear. The record comes in an Okeh Records sleeve which describes this 10 inch double record as being lateral cut and being manufactured by General Phonograph Corp with Otto Heineman, Pres. It also states that the speed for playing is 80 RPM. According to TDL Technology, Inc. 80 RPM is available under the Acoustic, Columbia, Edison, Pathe, Emerson, Brunswick and Okeh labels.1 The condition of the record is very good. There are no pops, chips, or cracks. The label is beautiful, complete, and with vibrant colors. The sleeve is complete, no splits, or tears. The complete package is stunning.
A Little Okeh Records History
Okeh (pronounced “okay”) was founded by Otto K. E. Heinemann (1877–1965), a German-American manager for the U.S. branch of Odeon Records. In 1916, he formed the Otto Heinemann Phonograph Corporation, establishing a recording studio and pressing plant in New York City. The Okeh label was introduced for public sale in September 1918. The name itself was derived from Heinemann’s initials and was originally stylized as “OkeH” on early labels. In 1919, Okeh adopted the lateral cut method of recording, which became the standard for disc records. Around that same time, the company was renamed the General Phonograph Corporation, and the label spelling transitioned to “OKeh.” While Okeh is widely known for its later blues, jazz, and country recordings, its earliest releases are not as well documented. Because of this, identifying and verifying early pressings can be difficult, and previously unrecorded examples can still surface.2345
A Record Without a Trace?
What makes Okeh 1007 particularly intriguing is the apparent absence of documented examples. A review of available discographies and collector references shows little to no information on this specific release. That raises the possibility that this record is not simply rare, but previously undocumented. Of course, discoveries like this should always be approached with caution. Additional copies may surface over time. However, based on what is currently known, this record appears to occupy a very unusual position within the Okeh catalog.
On the Record
The Discography of Okeh Records, 1918-1934 is the definitive source on Okeh Records. According to this source “no copy (OKEH 1007) has been available for inspection and the master numbers are so-far untraced”.6
In an attempt to accurately provide a date of manufacture or release, other known record release dates are considered as well as the type of label and the sleeve.
The dead stamp on side A of 120A is referenced only as 1207, however indicates that this recording is circa April 1918 in New York. One site suggests circa March 1918.8 This dead stamp of 120A matches the artist Sterling Trio, vocal with orchestra. By all accounts, OKEH 1007 was released somewhere May 1918.
Since it is apparently known that the General Phonograph Corporation was introduced in October 1919 and that the lateral cut Okeh discs were introduced in the same month9, the sleeve may likely be of 1919 (unless maybe it is a prototype?).
About the Artists
Side A was recorded by The Sterling Trio whom was made up with Henry Burr, Albert Campbell & John Meyer10. The Sterling Trio, became one of the most popular recording groups in America, recording hundreds of 78’s of popular songs.11 Side B was recorded by Campbell & Burr Orchestra Accomp., which I translate to be Albert Campbell and Henry Burr, whose recording career as a duo spans to the mid 1920’s.12 with 46 charted hits as identified by US Bullfrog, including seven number one hits. Henry Burr and Albert Campbell have been covered by such artists as Tony Bennett (1960), Frank Sinatra (1984), and Anne Murray (2004) among others.13
Photo of the Sterling Trio, circa 1919. Left to right: Albert Campbell, Henry Burr, John H. Meyer
Source: Library and Archives Canada/Music Collection © Public Domain (AI recreated and enhanced)
Henry Burr was the most prolific recording artist of his time (1902-1930s), with more than 12,000 recordings to his credit by his own reported estimate.14. Credited with making over 5000 phonograph recordings for almost every record company and performing in many concerts throughout North America.15 Henry Burr was the leading performer in the Peerless Quartette in “Over There” recorded on June 6, 1917 and released in September 1917 on Columbia A2306.
Listen to Columbia’s Release
Listen to the Columbia A2306 version, as downloaded from Library and Archives Canada/Music Collection
Over There (George M. Cohan) Peerless Quartette
That recording of “Over There” is one of Billboard Top singles of 1917.16 It can be heard at the Virtual Gramophone.17 He is described as the original King of Pop.18
Information on John Meyer is difficult to find, however his career begins at least 1911 as a member of the Columbia Minstrels, whose members included Henry Burr, Albert Campbell, and Arthur Collins.19
The Songs
Over There was written by George M. Cohan while traveling by train from New Rochelle to New York shortly after the U.S. declared war on Germany in April 1917. It became the leading American marching song of World War I, and for its role in boosting wartime morale, Cohan received the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1940.20
Just Before the Battle, Mother was written by George F. Root. It had been previously recorded — but never released — by Campbell and Burr as B-24386 (Campbell and Burr) and B-31301 (Peerless Quartet)21 on Victor Records. This Okeh pressing may be the only surviving recording from any of those three sessions.
Why This Discovery Matters
This record has not surfaced in over 90 years. The songs themselves carry immense historical weight — Over There is the defining anthem of World War I, and the performance here is nearly identical to Henry Burr’s 1917 recording on Columbia, his voice unmistakable as the lead. The flip side may be the only surviving recording of a song these artists attempted three times on another label and never released.
Outreach & Research
- Emailed a representative of Brian Rust at Rust Books — no reply.
- Contacted John Tefteller of The World’s Rarest Records, who kindly responded: “I looked at the information… unfortunately, since it is not a Blues record I know nothing about it… but it is nice to know that a missing record has been found, no matter what it is.”
- Called major 78 collector Ralph DeLuca, who was unable to assist.
- Checked the Library of Congress — their list of 21 78s released with Over There does not include Okeh 1007.
- The American Premium Record Guide illustrates seven different Okeh labels from the 1920s to 1942 but notes nothing prior, acknowledging that “photos of a number of worthwhile labels could not be obtained.”
Sources & References
- Discography of Okeh Records, 1918–1934 by Ross Laird & Brian Rust. Greenwood Publishing Group, April 2004. ISBN: 9780313311420. (pp. 20, 701)
- American Premium Record Guide, 1915–1965 by L.R. Docks. Books Americana, Inc., 1986. ISBN: 0-89689-054-6.
- Okeh Records 1000 Series Numerical Listing · Okeh Album Discography · firstworldwar.com · Library of Congress · Ted Staunton’s 78 RPM Labels · Internet Archive · TDL Technology